MACC to honor former coach Kariker on Saturday night

Friday

Feb 1, 2013 at 10:30 AM

Submitted by MACC

Moberly Area Community College Greyhound men’s coach Pat Smith often refers to the rich history of basketball at MACC. The program has won four National Tournaments, marked by the banners hanging from the rafters of the Activity Center.

Saturday evening, the Greyhounds will pay special honor to a former coach and one remarkable basketball game played back in 1983. That season, the Hounds finished 7th at the National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, but only after a miraculous come-from-behind win over national powerhouse, Wabash Valley.

The coach, the late Lee Kariker, kept the team focused, as they battled from 19 points down in the second half to beat Wabash Valley 110-106 in overtime. Coach Smith, who is now in his second tour of duty with MACC, said Coach Kariker never stopped being a Greyhound.“After Lee left Moberly at the end of the ’83 season, he continued to support the program,” said Smith. “He would call to tell me about players and always had family and friends coming to the Booster Club golf tournament.”

During the pre-game ceremony before the Hounds take on NJCAA Region 16 rival Missouri-State West Plains, coach Smith will recognize the historic game from the 1983 tournament and pay special tribute to Kariker with a presentation to Lee’s wife, Sue and their family.

The presentation is scheduled to take place at the Fitzsimmons John Arena at 6:45 Saturday night.

Moberly Greyhounds will bring a 18-5 overall record and 3-1 regional mark into the game while West Plains is currently 14-8 and 2-2 in the region.

MACC men is led in scoring and rebounding by 6’5” sophomore Mike Anderson at 17 ppg and 9 rebounds per contest. Brennen Hughes has really stepped his game up lately and is coming off a strong 17 point and 8 rebound outing in a 94-81 loss at Indian Hills on Tuesday.

West Plains most recently defeated Mineral Area 60-48 this past Tuesday while Moberly won at Three Rivers 76-68 in their last regional contest.

“’West Plains is a very talented team,” said MACC coach Smith. “They have good guards and a very long, athletic front line. Our biggest objectives are definitely to keep improving our system starting with our defensive and rebounding efforts. We are definitely into the hardest part of our schedule and our players and coaches look forward to the challenge. Our goals are to improve every day and always prepare to win the next game.”